Will the Millers add to Witham’s relegation woes?

Our leaders, Aveley, have managed to open up a two point advantage over Canvey Island and a six point advantage over Stowmarket Town- although the latter have two games in hand. The Millers are off to Witham Town this weekend, with both sides needing the points, albeit for entirely different reasons. Any Millers slip could see Canvey replace them at the summit, any Witham slip could see them fall into the bottom three.

The Millers are almost four months unbeaten, Town have won only two of their last ten- but did defeat Aveley’s promotion-chasing tenants, Grays Athletic, recently.

Image: Jim Purtill.

The Gulls play in perhaps our match of the day, as Maldon & Tiptree arrive on the Island. The Jammers have closed to within three points of the top five and have lots only one of their last ten, winning the last three; whilst the Gulls have not quite been their usual selves over the last week or two, winning only one of their last three. A win for Canvey could see them go top, a win for Maldon is unlikely to see them move into the top five due to Grays Athletic’s superior goal difference, but the Jammers will still have a game in hand.

Stowmarket need to pick themselves up from that last minute defeat at Parkside last weekend, as they welcome relegation-threatened Barking. That loss to Aveley ended a long unbeaten run for Town, whilst the Blues put a long run without a win behind them when defeating AFC Sudbury. The visitors really can’t afford to leave with nothing, given they are four points from safety with only five matches remaining.

Brentwood Town, in fourth, have a three point advantage over Dereham Town in sixth and a four point gap between themselves and Maldon/Hashtag United. Town were walloped at Dereahm in midweek, a run of three consecutive wins coming to a crashing end, and are on the road to Bury Town as they look to get back on the horse. Bury have been injury hit all season, which has led to tremendous inconsistency, but they will perhaps be buoyed by picking up our Performance of the Month award for March.

Fifth plays eighth- or perhaps a better way of putting it is fifty nine points plays fifty six- as Grays athletic welcome Hashtag United to Parkside. Grays have won six of their last ten, four of those by scoring the only goal of the match; whilst the Tags have lost only one of their last ten but have seen their progress slowed by drawing their last two.

Dereham Town travel to Coggeshall Town knowing that a positive result might just see them end the weekend in the top five. The Magpies trounced Brentwood Town in midweek to put themselves back in the mix, and have won three of their last four, whereas the Seed Growers have done just about enough to make themselves safe, but would like a few more points to make quite sure. The Magpies won their last encounter, in Norfolk, by three goals to nil.

Felixstowe and Walton United have slipped to five points off the top five after losing three of their last four. They head just past Southend, to face relegation-threatened Great Wakering Rovers, who are only three points above the danger zone. Rovers came within two minutes of claiming three points against another promotion-chaser, Hashtag United, last time out- so will hope to take at least a point from the Seasiders.

AFC Sudbury’s fine form has suddenly deserted them, and three games without a win have seen them slip eight points behind the top five. The Yellows welcome Hullbridge Sports, their visitors desperate for points to escape the bottom three. Sports have won two and drawn three of their last five. The previous match between the two ended as a one-one draw.

Heybridge Swifts welcome Tilbury. Swifts have gone off the boil a little, losing their last three, whilst the Dockers have looked improved with only one defeat in their last four and have moved eight points clear of the bottom three. Swifts are five points better off, and will end the season troubling neither end.

Relegated Romford host Basildon United. The Bees could find themselves in the bottom three if they lose, and whilst Romford haven’t won a league match since mid October they did defeat these opponents when the two last met, in the Velocity Trophy at the end of November. Perhaps Boro may play without fear now their fate is sealed, whilst the Bees have plenty to fear and no win from their last six.

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